 | SUMMER 2001 VOYAGE: Sailing for Marine Mammals! Follow skipper Michael Reppy as he sails aboard Thursday's Child to raise awareness of the plight of whales in captivity and dolphins under siege. In particular, Reppy is sailing in protest of Japan's controversial "drive fishery," which drives dolphins into shallow bays where they are ultimately slaughtered. |
| Summer 2001 Transpacific Voyage History: | |
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ARRIVAL IN S.F.: Tuesday, September 11, 2001 Thursday's Child Arrives Home Amidst Impending War San Francisco, CA -- 18:45 hrs. Thursday's Child passed under Golden Gate Bridge to complete approx. 12,000 mile circle of the Pacific Ocean. We tied up at Horizon's dock in Sausalito only to hear of the horrific terrorist attacks in New York & Washington. We sat shocked seeing the TV pictures of the plane slamming into the World Trade Center. Much greiving and healing and understanding will be needed. It is good to be home, but not to a home of death and destruction and impending war. - Cheers from Michael Reppy and TC crew
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Orca Lab Report: Wednesday, August 29, 2001 Fate of the Orcas - Free Corky Tour Victoria, Canada -- With a crew of volunteers from Orca Lab, THURSDAY'S CHILD has been stopping at ports around Vancouver Island holding open house and flying parts of the Free Corky Banner from the rigging. It's a very festive and colorful scene with the banner flying and orca calls played from an Orca Lab CD, attracting people to the boat where they learn about the decline in orca population from: 1) lack of salmon, their major food, due to destruction of spawning habitat in rivers and over-fishing 2) waters contaminated with PCBs & other chemicals 3) stress of whale watching & other boat traffic. A new 10-point Earth Island "ORCA RECOVERY CAMPAIGN" brochure and Free Corky material is passed out & a petition signed to present to Sea World for Corky's release. Stops were made in Alert Bay for Sea Fest, Powell River for the Blackberry Festival, Pender Harbor (site of Corky's capture in 1969), Ganges Harbor, Salt Spring Island, and now Victoria. Next stop: return to San Francisco to complete the circle around the Pacific, then on to Sea World San Diego for a big rally December 11 -- the 32nd anniversary of Corky's capture. - Cheers from Michael Reppy and TC crew
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Orca Lab Report: Thursday, August 16, 2001 Fabulous Week on Hanson Island; Reppy Participates at "Orcafest" Have spent a fabulous week at Orca Lab, Hanson Island, home of the northern resident orca pods, including Corky's "A" Pod. We anchored Thursday's Child right off the lab, but drifted into the shore and touch the keel on the rocks, but motored off OK. Then a few days later dragged anchor and was headed out into the channel, That was enough, moved to a beautiful protected bay nearby called "Dong Chong." On the way up the inside passage we were welcomed by a group of about 20 orca which put on a show of breeching and tail slaps, one came within a few feet of the bow while we were stopped with the engine off. We took a group of about 10 people out sailing and flew the "Free Corky" spinnaker in front of Orca Lab, then had a beautiful sunset sail on Johnstone Strait with orcas nearby as well. We are enjoying the warm hospitality of Paul and Helena at Orca Lab with wonderful dinners often with freshly caught salmon. I caught one Pink Salmon which was soon on the Bar-B-Que. The island is a natural paradise with forests recovering from clearcutting-some old cedars survived are over 1000 years old; have seen eagles and ravens and tracks of deer and wolf. We participated in "Orcafest" at Port McNeil and will be at "Seafest" at Alert Bay this week end displaying Corky's Freedom Banner and giving out literature on Corky and preserving the ecosystems that support the whales-especially the salmon they feed on. Then it is back to Victoria and the sail back to San Francisco to complete the circle around the Pacific. Note: the Sat Com/e-mail system on Thursday's Child is down, but I will have a replacement for my cell phone which went overboard (510) 435-3375. - Cheers from Michael Reppy
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Return Trip - Day 26: Wednesday, July 25, 2001 Thursday's Child and Crew Arrive in Victoria! 1900 hrs. PDT. — Arrived in Victoria! We're at public wharf downtown just down from Empress Hotel. It's sunny & warm & beautiful here. Had showers, drinks & dinner & enjoyed street performers & music & the people & sights & sounds after 25 days at sea -- a feast for the senses -- as Scott said it was "too much" at times. My cell phone will be on: (510) 435-7533. - Cheers from Michael Reppy & Scott Shaffer
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Return Trip - Day 24: Monday, July 23, 2001 Smooth Sailing Into Victoria; Likely ETA on Wednesday or Thursday 1145 hrs. PDT. — Pos. 49-50 N. lat., 133-42 W. long. (415 miles to Victoria); Course: 77; Speed: 8-9 knots. Smooth sailing in light N. winds. Gale winds & seas of 3 days ago eased & we ended up dead in the Pacific. High motoring for a day -- with still plenty of fuel. Looks like a nice sail into Victoria. ETA: Wed. 7/25 late afternoon or evening if wind holds or early Thurs. morning if wind goes light. We're eating up all the good food-fresh carrots & potatos & 2 eggs still left. - Cheers from Michael Reppy & Scott Shaffer
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Return Trip - Day 20: Thursday, July 19, 2001 1245 hrs. PDT — Pos.: 51-33 N. lat., 151-27 W. long. (1,050 miles to Victoria); Course: 65 deg. mag.; Speed: 7 knots in Gale. Past 36 hrs. 27-35 knot S. wind with nasty beam seas -- some breaking into cockpit -- rough ride but all OK running off a little to north to ease pounding. May continue over the next few days. - Cheers from Michael Reppy & Scott Shaffer
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Return Trip - Day 17: Monday, July 16, 2001 Thursday's Child Passes Under the Aleutian Islands En Route to Victoria 1400 hrs. PDT — Pos. 49-48 N. lat., 165-39 W. long. (250 miles south of Dutch Harbor, Aleutian Islands) 1,650 miles to Victoria. Course: 68; Speed: Smooth 9 knots in 15 knot breeze. Off/on rain, fog, drizzle. Cold at night but spare cabin heater so nice to dry gear & warm-up! Eating well -- spagetti, pancakes, noodles, curry etc. All's OK on TC. - Cheers from Michael Reppy & Scott Shaffer
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Return Trip - Day 15: Saturday, July 14, 2001 1355 hrs. PDT — Pos.: 49-21 N. lat., 173-56 W. long. Past 1/2 Way point yesterday. Caught up a little with two 235 mile days. Course: 84 deg.; Speed: 9.5 knots in 20 knot S. winds -- to build to 30+. Cont. warmer up here, but much fog & rain. All systems OK on TC. - Cheers from Michael Reppy & Scott Shaffer
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Return Trip - Day 12: Wednesday, July 11, 2001 1030 hrs. PDT — Pos. 47-46 N. lat., 171-03 E. long. (1,650 miles from Yokohama). Speed: 10-11 knots; Course: 68 deg. Nice 10-14 knot SSE breeze. Past 24 hours on flat seas -- beautiful smooth sailing after 2 days of no wind. Stopped motoring to keep fuel reserve & drifted at 1.5 knots -- then wind filled in. Cold! 2 layers of polypro under foul weather gear. Lots of hot coffee, Chai lattes, & noodle soups to warm the insides. Headed for 50 deg N. on great circle. All systems OK on TC. - Cheers from Michael Reppy & Scott Shaffer
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Return Trip - Day 10: Monday, July 9, 2001 0200 hrs. PDT — Pos.: 45-37 N. lat., 164-53 E. long., Course: 61 s.; Speed: 5k. Motoring. Dense fog. Sat Com C. has been off line due to faulty antenna connector -- now fixed -- if your emails have not gotten through. Everything else OK on board. Would like some wind & sun -- it's COLD up here & the fish aren't biting! - Michael Reppy & Scott Shaffer
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Return Trip - Day 8: Saturday, July 7, 2001 0300 hrs. PDT. — Pos.: 43-30 N. lat., 157-41 E. long. (about 1000 miles from Yokohama). Course: 70; Speed: 9-10 k. Been in 25-30 knots with beam seas the past 2 days -- cold, rainy etc., now eased up. Large pod of Dall porpoise came by. Scott saw a whale in moonlight a few days ago. All OK on TC. - Cheers from Michael Reppy & Scott Shaffer
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Return Trip - Day 6: Thursday, July 5, 2001 0230 hrs. PDT. — Pos. 40-14 N. lat., 149-25 E. long. (about 600 miles from Yokohama). Motoring all day in flat seas & dense fog. Radar checks for shipping on regular basis. Expect wind soon. Caught a 12-lb. tuna yesterday -- gorged on sashimi & fried fish. Getting colder, but flying fish still around. Three shark sightings & dolphins around. All's well on TC. - Cheers from Michael Reppy & Scott Shaffer
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Return Trip - Day 3: Monday, July 2, 2001 Reppy Departs Yokohama Bound for Orca Lab off Vancouver Island 2850 hrs. PDT — Pos.: 36-46 N. lat., 143-41 E. long.; Course: 63 deg.; Speed: 10 knots (running wing & wing - 260 miles NE Yokohama). Departed Yokohama on June 30th bound for Orca Lab off Vancouver Island. This sail is dedicated to freedom for captive orca CORKY. I am double-handing with long-time sailing partner Scott Shaffer, who flew in from San Francisco. We had a rousing send-off by staff and sailors at the Yokohama Bayside Marina with many boats following us out into the bay waving & blowing horns. Many thanks to all for this heart-warming Bon Voyage. Sayonara. All's well on TC. Will post updates every few days. - Cheers from Michael Reppy & Scott Shaffer
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Reports from Japan: Friday, June 8, 2001 Reppy Joins Japanese Activists in Defense of Marine Mammals Thursday's Child has found a home at the Yokohama Bayside Marina. Harbormaster Mr. Onogawa was very helpful. But the marina has upscale shopping mall with outlet stores. I sailed 5,600 miles & I'm still in America! One clothing store has a 1950 Plymouth & an O'keeke & Merritt stove in it for image! Genoa is at North Sails for repair & repair of broken boom will start soon. I traveled to Nagoya with Nanami Kurasawa of Dolphin Whale Action Network for a meeting with Mr. Okuya Keiji, Executive Director of the Port Of Nagoya Public Aquarium which has built a huge new tank & stadium for dolphin & whale shows to open in the Fall. We had a very cordial & frank discussion. I explained the unhealthy stressful conditions & early death of marine mammals in captivity & made a plea for them to use high tech multimedia exhibits instead. They have built a robotic whale which is a step in that direction. But Mr. Keiji said "the people want to see live orcas" and that they intend to buy orcas. He is a good businessman & knows PR & says they won't have the whales do "circus tricks" & that Sea World officials have said they have a better facility in Nagoya than in America. Nanami will organize a protest demonstration when they open in the Fall. I also gave a talk to a concerned citizens group organized by Nagoya City Assemblyman, Saito Makoto & will give a talk in Tokyo tonight on my sail & efforts to save whales. - Michael Reppy
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Day 36: Sunday, June 3, 2001 Wind-swept Thursday's Child Motored in to Japan, Met by Friends 2355 hrs. PDT — Pos.: 35-01 N. lat., 139-91 E. long. (8 miles from Misake finish). Day 35 - 50 miles. I am motoring in to be met by SF bay area friends Barry & Cindy Bristol, & official timekeeper Ken Hayashi of Tokyo. All last night was spent short tacking along the coast East of Tokyo, battling a strong Kuroshio current & dodging shipping traffic with no sleep. Only a few miles were gained for all the effort & when the wind died in the morning, I was swept back where I came. The current measured 3.6 knots on the GPS! The forecast was for continued light winds, so my decision was made to motor on in & let the monohull record go & remain with the legendary French sailor, Eric Tabarly. It did not feel right to use it as a "consolation prize" for having not broken Peter Hogg's outright record. I am disappointed, but content that I gave it my best & did make it here on my third try. More to come in follow-up emails. - Michael Reppy
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Day 35: Saturday, June 2, 2001 Thursday's Child Slowly Tacking Along Coastal Japan Toward Misake 2300 hrs. PDT — Pos.: 35-18 N. lat., 140-33 E. long. Day 34 - 105 miles. I am short tacking along coast working my way towards Misake. It's very slow going -- can't tack out far or get caught in Kuroshio current, which I did again! Also much shipping must be vigilant. - Michael Reppy
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Day 34: Friday, June 1, 2001 Transpacific Sailing Record Out of Reach, But Monohull Record Still Possible 2355 hrs. PDT — Pos.: 35-34 N. lat., 141-50 E. long. (130 miles to finish). Day 33 - 120 miles. Course: 310; Speed: 3.3 knots. Very slow going in light winds. Have the genneker out again, which helps. Obviously I will not beat the record of 34 days, 6 hrs by Peter Hogg in trimaran Aotea, but the monohull record of 39 days, 15 hrs by Frenchman Eric Tabarly in 1969 is definitely in reach. The forecast is for very light winds so it will be a frustrating slow sail to the finish. - Michael Reppy
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Day 33: Thursday, May 31, 2001 Thursday's Child Weathers Storm, Reppy Rests for Final Stretch 2355 hrs. PDT — Pos.: 35-24 N. lat., 144-14 E. long.; 250 miles to finish. Course: 280; Speed: 2.5 knots, Wind: N. 3-4 knots. Day 32 - 158 miles. Very tough night in gale with max wind I saw on wind speed (working again) of 46.8 knots. & 12-16' many seas breaking. Lots of water into cockpit -- some leaking into engine compartment -- only tach meter out -- engine OK. Winds eased quickly, but seas remained rough most of day. Again, how fast it changes -- now flopping around in nearly no wind. But I'm grateful TC rode out the storm so well. I'm resting & drying out again -- feel the strain & fatigue of past 2 days. - Michael Reppy
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Day 32: Wednesday, May 30, 2001 2300 hrs. PDT — Pos.: 34-56 N. lat., 146-52 E. long.; Course: 317; Speed: 6-7 k.; Day 31 - 112 miles. Now running off in gale (40-45 k.) with tiny bit of genoa rolled out. Big seas occ break in cockpit with some water getting into engine compartment -- run engine hourly to keep dry. TC doing fine -- should be through the worst of it in next 9 hours. - Michael Reppy
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Day 31: Tuesday, May 29, 2001 Reppy Readies for a Nasty Day of Wind and Squalls 2345 hrs. PDT — Pos.: 34-56 N. lat., 149-52 E. long.; 520 nm to finish. Course: 355; Speed: 4-7 knots. Day 30 - 165 miles. Been very slow going in high pressure, just now wind filling in & getting going. Also just saw a 20 deg difference in compass heading & GPS course & figure I am in the Kuru Siwo current that runs about 2 knots or so E or NE. I had gybed to port to head West, but was very slow & couldn't understand it -- now makes sense. Will be passing through another low pressure trough in next 24 hours -- could be a nasty one with wind & seas & squalls -- we'll see. I've got the boat in good repair & rested well last night -- so feel ready. - Michael Reppy
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Day 30: Monday, May 28, 2001 2355 hrs. PDT — Pos.: 33-25 N. lat., 151-04 E. long.; 580 miles from finish. Day 29 - 150 miles. Course: 312; Speed: 6 knots. Again in the light airs between lows -- spent miserable night pounding into seas, then had rapid wind shift from SW to NW & began to ease. Expecting another low before reach Misake so have been doing repairs -- replaced burning out autopilot motor & tightened loose steering cables, now to get needed rest. - Michael Reppy
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Day 29: Sunday, May 27, 2001 Reppy Rests Up in Preparation for Another Low Front 2355 hrs. PDT — Pos. 32-57 N. lat., 154-16 E. long.; 755 miles to finish. Day 28 - 158 miles. Course: 290; Speed: 7-8 knots. Approaching another low front with SW winds 18-22 knots & seas -- so getting more pounding. Put in 3rd reef to slow down & ease the wear on boat & skipper! Trying to rest up -- will be a long night tangling with this low -- hopefully not as much whallop as the last one. - Michael Reppy
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Day 28: Saturday, May 26, 2001 Thursday's Child Takes a Pounding Coming Down Off a Wave 2330 hrs. PDT — Pos.: 32-12 N. lat., 157-53 E. long.; 932 nm to finish. Day 27 - 125 miles. Very slow day & the toughest of the trip -- passed through low front last night & was reefed down beating into wind, but the problem was the short steep seas & pounding boat takes coming down off a wave. Worst I've ever had with Thursday's Child! Last night had to tack away & take a break of a few hours to let it settle down. Amazing how fast it can change! Now in high pressure & seas flat & only going 4-7 knots in light breeze -- but did get genneker rerolled & back up. Also a chance to rest & regroup & dry out again. - Michael Reppy
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Day 27: Friday, May 25, 2001 Reppy Receives Free "Gift" of 169 Miles! 2359 hrs. PDT — Pos.: 32-43 N. lat., 159-40 E. long. (1010 nm to finish in Misake). Day 26 - 198 miles. Note the big decrease in miles to go -- I got in effect a "gift" of 169 miles when I discovered a discrepency between the distance on the chart & on the GPS & found out that the GPS had gone back to default "statute miles" or land miles which are less than nautical miles -- what good fortune! But at the moment we are pounding into seas left over from the low front doing 5-6 knots at course 232. I had to slow it down to minimize the brutal slamming that seems sure to break something! - Michael Reppy
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Day 26: Thursday, May 24, 2001 Thursday's Child Experiences Close Call; Keiko Out in Open Sea 2340 hrs. PDT — Pos.: 31-55 N lat., 163-26 E long. (1390 miles to finish in Misake); Course: 266; Speed: 8-11 knots. Day 25 - 185 miles. Wind filled in from N. & increased during night while having great run with genneker -- but became too much & had to roll up, but genneker has been problem with upper part not rolling tight & opens up flogging in wind & then have to lower whole thing to deck. Was a real fight to control with lines & not let blow in water as lowered in the dark, but finally got it in heap on board. Will take a major reroll job to use again. These close calls shake me up & get tense & hyper-vigilant for while. I'm settled down now having good run in 15-18 knots of wind with main & genoa. KEIKO NEWS: Ocean Futures reported that Keiko is out in open ocean in Iceland near wild orcas. He is eating lots of cod & herring & very healthy. This could be his time to make the break to freedom -- the first captive orca whale to ever do it! Prayers for Keiko. - Michael Reppy
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Day 25: Wednesday, May 23, 2001 Reality Fails to Match Forecast Winds 2335 hrs. PDT — Pos.: 30-17 N. lat., 166-53 E. long.; Course: 270; Speed: 7-9 knots. Day 24 - 145 miles. Wind finally filled in & steady for awhile from NNW -- nice smooth sail with genneker. Been tiring with the light airs & all the wind shifts & changes -- continually adjusting course, sail trim, water ballast, & frustrating going so slow when the forecast was for winds of 12-18 knots & you get 4-8! Have not been able to get usual sleep & feel weary now -- will try rest & recharge self. Had bath & shave & that always feels good, but the water is colder up here -- I use the bucket-of-sea-water-over-the-head method -- but do finish off with warm fresh water from the sunshower bag. - Michael Reppy
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Day 24: Tuesday, May 22, 2001 Reppy Puts Out Call for "More Wind" 2315 hrs. PDT — Pos.: 29-45 N. lat., 169-27 E. long.; Course: 252; Speed: 5-8 knots in light shifty winds from NE to S today. Day 23 - 140 miles. The good news -- no rain & I dried out. Continue chasing the wind with lots of sail area up: big mainsail & genneker can almost match the wind speed if trimmed just right, but I have other demands like cooking & dishes, communications, repairs, sleep, so can't work the sails all the time. Seas are very calm so it is a smooth ride, but still: "need more wind." - Michael Reppy
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Day 23: Monday, May 21, 2001 2355 hrs. PDT — Pos. 29-04 N. lat., 172-20 E. long.; Course: 275; Speed: 4-7 knots. Winds 4-9 knots, shifting back & forth from N. & W. Day 22 - 132 miles. Steady rain most of day -- now drizzle off & on -- flat seas. I'm trying to squeeze out all the boat speed I can following the wind around with the genneker -- she flows so smoothly with a little breeze, but it doesn't last long. Weather routers predict more of this tricky light air. - Michael Reppy
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Day 22: Sunday, May 20, 2001 Thursday's Child Fitted for Last 2,000-Mile Stretch to Japan 2355 hrs. PDT — Pos.: 29-28 N. lat., 174-24 E. long.; Course: 233; Speed: 4-6 knots. Day 21 - 195 miles. In very fluky light WNW winds, was becalmed about 1 hr., now moving again. Today replaced broken #4 batten in mainsail & changed to stronger blocks for lazyjacks; mainsail looked in good shape -- ready for last 2000 miles to Japan. - Michael Reppy
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Day 21: Saturday, May 19, 2001 Laysan Albatross Encircles Thursday's Child, Cooler Air Prevails 2300 hrs. PDT — Pos.: 29-14 N. lat., 177-41 E. long.; Have crossed the international date line & "lost a day" but will keep Pacific Daylight Time going for continuity. Been very steady ENE breeze taking me Northwest: Course 318; Speed: 8-11 knots. Day 20 - 215 miles. Expecting light airs soon & will will cross another low front -- weaker than last. Just when I thought the cuddy ducks were gone, one just now is circling trying to land on the masthead for the night. Sunset is now out here. There are also many Laysan Albatross swooping around. It's cooler now being more north -- have traded shorts for pants & put on a shirt. - Michael Reppy
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Day 20: Friday, May 18, 2001 2355 hrs. PDT — Pos.: 26-45 N. lat., 179-26 W. long. (now West of Midway); Course: 283; Speed: 8-11 knots. Day 19 - 180 miles. Been broad reaching in steady N. winds all day, after a very wild night in fierce squalls & passed through low front reefed down beating into W. blow, when suddenly the wind shifted about 90 degrees & tacked the boat over to starboard. I released runner & sheets & was OK. Was a long tiring night. Cuddy duck & friends tried valiantly to land on masthead but rocking of boat put them off & cuddy made several very low passes over the cockpit -- seemed frantic about not landing for night & was gone. They've not come back probably because we're past Kure, the last atoll in the chain where they live. So Godspeed ducks -- you were magnificent. Mark Berman of Earth Island related to me that Keiko is out on "walks" again in Iceland & loves the Eider ducks that live there & chases them around. - Michael Reppy
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Day 19: Thursday, May 17, 2001 Reppy Sails Near Hawaiian Archipelago, Now Under Threat by Bush 2245 hrs. PDT — Pos.: 25-12 N. lat., 176-20 W. long.; Course: 323; Speed: 7-10 knots. In squally conditions heading into low front, winds clocked to SW. Day 17 - 162 miles. 180 miles SE of Midway. Have been paralleling the NW Hawaiian Archipelago -- an area rich in coral reefs & wildlife & declared National Wildlife Refuge by executive order of Pres Clinton, but W. Bush has threatened to overturn it -- DON'T LET HIM!!! This is a treasure & home to my sea duck friends & the highly endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal among much other marine life. My cuddy duck buddy spent the night on watch again on the mast, then her mate came & they flew off, but have come back 3 times flying circles around the boat -- decided not to land in the squally winds. - Michael Reppy
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Day 18: Wednesday, May 16, 2001 2220 hrs. — Pos. 23-50 N. lat., 173-19 W. long.; Course: 262; Speed: 6-8 knots. Wind just shifted to SE as forecast & will pick up from 6-10 knots now. Day 17 - 160 miles. Lori has confirmed the sea duck is a King Eider, nick named "cuddy duck." He left again, but another has come to take his place & is on top of the mast-did we sail out of his area & he assigned a friend? This one does not have the pizzazz of the original cuddy who stuck his beak way out into the wind & flaired his tail out! Here is my offering: ODE TO THE SEA DUCK
At the top of the mast, - Michael Reppy
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Day 17: Tuesday, May 15, 2001 Reppy Makes it Half-Way, Reinforces Thursday's Child 2355 hrs. — Pos.: 22-24 lat., 171-17 long. HALF-WAY POINT. Course: 220; Speed: 5-9 knots in light fluky E. winds. Day 16 - 160 miles. Most of day spent reinforcing a buckling tubing strut on boom above vang connection -- done with pipes and metal banding & rivets -- looks to be stronger than original! But must watch that area of high load. My "good luck sea duck" spent the night on top of mast & took off at daybreak when I jibed & shook him up a bit -- not returned today. He is much loved & missed! - Michael Reppy
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Day 16: Monday, May 14, 2001 2350 hrs. — Pos.: 22-22 lat., 168-16 long.; Course: 300; Speed: 7-10 k. Day 15 - only 142 miles. The problem is light tradewinds from E. are directly astern & slow, so I must gybe downwind with genneker at angles to go faster but in zig-zag course. I'm staying between 23 & 24 lat. where there is about 10-14 knots of E. wind. Hopefully a low trough will move through in a few days & help. Meanwhile, the saga of my birthday bird continues. I think he is a sea duck (eider) that spent the night on top of mast & flew off, but came back to check on me twice today and is back tonight with 2 friends. He managed to land on his perch on mast & others have made 20-30 passes to try & land but can't -- so far sparing my windex. He is raising my spirits & good luck I feel. It has been a good day sailing & chores done -- dishes, bath, shave, replaced 2 broken wind generator blades. - Michael Reppy
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Day 15: Sunday, May 13, 2001 Mystery Bird Gives Thursday's Child Some Birthday Wishes 2350 hrs. — Pos.: 22-50 lat., 165-21 long. (about 40 miles S. of Necker Is.); Course: 296; Speed: 7-8 knots, winds light. Day 14 - 177 miles. Had a wonderful 56th birthday with cards & presents, a tamale dinner with wine, but most of all made by a visitor on board -- my "birthday bird." Can someone help identify? It had a 1 foot white body, 1/2 black & white wings, orange feet, and bluish bill. She has been flying by the boat for a few days & today landed on the roller furler drum on bow sprit. I can get close & talk to her -- she flies away but comes right back. She christened the genneker drum with a good dump. I knew then it was time to put it up. I had rerolled it & the yarn ties worked perfectly breaking loose as I unfurled it. Since she lost that perch, she has moved to the top of mast, illuminated red & green by my running lights. Thanks for the birthday good wishes. - Michael Reppy
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Day 13: Friday, May 11, 2001 2350 hrs. — Pos 23-15 lat., 159-45 long.; Course: 201; Speed: 5-7 knots running only on main. Day 13 run - 188 miles / Day 12 run - 150 miles. Been a day of good wind & good speeds of 10-14 knots with genneker, but problems with sails. Had spinnaker wrap putting up Free Corky spin but managed to get down & into hatch. Then hit by squalls again & genneker didn't roll all way up & was flogging & had to take down in lots of wind & it wrapped around head stay but finally got on deck & tied down. Now can't roll out genoa because halyard fouled & can't clear in dark. Maybe just as well, another squall just hit with rain & wind -- doing 9.2 knots with just 2nd reef main in pitch dark -- no moon yet. It's been wild & crazy out here. I'll pass close to Niihau & jibe & head west. Hope tomorrow I can sort out these sails & get going -- the wind is definitely on down here! - Michael Reppy
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Day 12: Thursday, May 10, 2001 Slow Going for TC, But Beautiful Starry Night Keeps Spirits High 2350 hrs. — Pos.: 26-05 lat., 158-00 long.; Course: 205; Speed: 6-7 k. Day 11 run - 190 miles. Heading South to escape the light winds that are on my tail. Getting tropical with squalls & rain for over an hour today. I got the spinnaker down just before a nasty squall with 90 degree wind shift & then sat becalmed for a few hours. A bad grinding sound started in the boom near the mast gooseneck connection. Been working on reinforcement with bolts & hose clamps. It's better now, but is a high load area & could be trouble. I will keep the boom vang on tight to take shock load off that area. Slow go tonight, but beautiful starry night & phosporesence is sparkling in TC's wake. - Michael Reppy
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Day 11: Wednesday, May 9, 2001 "Free Corky" Spinnaker Unfurled, Carries Thursday's Child Onward 2200 hrs. — Pos.: 27-02 lat., 155-10 long. (360 miles NE of Honolulu); Course: 240; Speed: 8-10 knots. Day 10 run - 175 miles. Smaller spinnaker up all day & will carry tonight with 2 reefs in main. This is the "FREE CORKY" spinnaker with an Orca Whale graphic in honor of CORKY, the longest held captive whale for 31 years. We are advocating for her rehabilitation & release from Sea World in San Diego. Seeing Corky up there leading the way on the spinnaker is added inspiration for me to sail well for her. Were now South & into better tradewinds of 12-14 knots. Yesterday passed close by a Matson freighter, Honolulu-Seattle bound, & had good chat with Capt. Bob Buell on vhf radio. He is a sailing fan & knew TC well & read about my prior attempts to Japan. He told how he had dropped some ice cream in a bucket behind the ship to a singlehanding friend on a sailboat once. Next time I told him I'd like some ice cream! - Michael Reppy
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Day 10: Tuesday, May 8, 2001 Deck of Thursday's Child Becomes Battle Ground from Flying Squid! 2230 hrs. — Pos.: 28-24 lat., 152-19 long.; Course: 235; Speed: 6-8 knots. Day 9 run - 200 miles. Been broad reaching in light E tradewinds of 8-12 knots getting South to more wind. Winds now gone NE & sailing "wing & wing" with genneker poled out to port & full main to starboard. Chickened out on the spinnaker for tonight! Deck of TC looked like a battle ground today after a squadron of flying squid collided with us -- dead bodies everywhere -- now with their imprint on the deck that wouldn't scrub out like some primitive art work in dark ink. - Michael Reppy
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Day 9: Monday, May 7, 2001 2100 hrs. — Pos. 30-16 lat., 148-47 long.; Course: 223; Speed: 7-9 knots. Day 8 run - 98 miles. Another becalmed night, and I saw that promised front with wind was fizzling out, so headed South with a little breeze. My weather routers confirmed that the front was dissipating & rerouted to go Southwest into trade winds. The computer model was wrong! Now sailing a normal transpac route -- little longer but better wind further South. Have had steady E. breeze 8-12 knots and rolling again with Genneker and Main. Did OK fix on spinnaker tack & can use in light airs -- after that last escapade that is all I would use the big one anyway! Looking for the full moon but too cloudy so far. - Michael Reppy
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Day 8: Sunday, May 6, 2001 Smooth Sailing with Wine and Chocolate by Moonlight 2330 hrs. — Pos.: 31-20 lat., 147-15 long.; Course: 282; Speed: 2.8 knots. Becalmed last night. Day 7 run - 80 miles. Smooth sailing today on flat seas with 5-9 knots of wind, dying again. A front should bring wind in next 24 hrs. A beautiful near full moon tonight, pasta, wine, music & dark chocolate helped ease the pain of speed dwindling from 7 to 2 knots. - Michael Reppy
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Day 7: Saturday, May 5, 2001 2230 hrs. — Pos.: 31-35 lat., 144-54 long.; Speed: .9 k. Past 2 days' run: Day 5 - 217 miles, Day 6 - 145 miles. Been becalmed past 4-5 hrs. Expected 5-10 k. winds did not show. Waiting for low pressure trough to bring new wind in next 24-36 hrs. Spent day cleaning boat, drying out. Repairing the tack on spinnaker will not be easy -- it was the metal ring that broke, not the webbing around the ring. Took bath & shaved -- all cleaned up on cinco de mayo & going nowhere! There has been beauty in the flat, still sea though. - Michael Reppy
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Day 6: Friday, May 4, 2001 Thursday's Child Tips on Her Side, Recovers Intact 2100 hrs. — Pos.: 30-16 lat., 143-23 long.; Course: 280; Speed: 7-9 k. Wind clocking to E. Day of near disasters!! Found pin in lower rudder gudgeon working its way up and pounded back in and tied down -- all OK except a little vibration from rudder. Switched from genneker to spinnaker to sail deeper and on course. I went to put up the big one and was making good miles before the wind goes lighter for the next 2 days -- had been in good groove but was gusty, went down to grab some food but gust knocked TC over and pinned her on side. I came up to release spin but tack line ripped out of sail, and she came back up. I went forward to sock the sail, but the boat jibed and was pinned over on her other side with the water ballast on wrong side and stayed there until I was able to release all lines and water ballast and get the mainsail most of the way down and she came back up. A first for me on TC, so I was afraid water might pour in but it didn't. She was fine with no damage but things went flying in the cabin. I got the spinnaker down OK and boat cleaned up in a few hours and am on my way again with great relief and sobering thoughts. I was getting greedy for speed and paid the price. I hear open 60 boats like TC take knockdowns a lot and the newer boats actually lay completely on their side until the skipper releases the sails. That was too much excitement for me. Already I had a curry dinner and glass of wine to unwind. - Michael Reppy
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Day 5: Thursday, May 3, 2001 1700 hrs. — Pos.: 30-03 lat., 138-26 long.; Course: 258 mag.; Speed: 8-11 k. Day 4 - 235 miles. About 940 miles from San Francisco. The decision is to stay around this latitude for now and work the wind here along the shorten distance to Japan. Winds now approximately 11-13 knots with mild seas. My electronic wind instruments have all quit so will best quess -- not a big deal except the apparent wind direction is very useful running with the wind to know when wind getting close to jibing the main. I still have & use the "windex" wind indicator -- a weather cock device at top of mast with light for nighttime. It was invented by Lars Bergstrom who ironically was major engineer for Thursday's Child and crew for her record breaking sail around Cape Horn in 1989. He died in a plane crash. Thanks Lars, your invention is a big help and I'm sure your spirit is with Thursday's Child crossing the Pacific. - Michael Reppy
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Day 4: Wednesday, May 2, 2001 Thursday's Child Sings a New Song in "Surround Sound" 1900 hrs. — Pos.: 30-04 lat., 134-19 long.; Course: 248 mag.; Speed: 9-15 knots; Wind NNE 23-28 knots. Day 3 run - 245 miles. TC has been in a good groove with the genoa and 3rd reef main, now 2nd reef surfing along day & night without trimming sails. I've been able to catch up on sleep & food despite the strong winds and seas. TC SINGING NEW SONG! The recent addition of a wind generator on aft deck and a new metal rod bobstay on the bow up to the end of the bow sprit has created a chorus of sound. At speeds above 10knots the water rushing past the bobstay plucks the rod like a string and get loud 2 note humming in the boat and with the strong winds blowing, the wind generator is whirring with its high pitched screams. I'm in the middle with "surround sound." Entertaining so far, but will it get on my nerves? Winds will decrease next few days with major decision to be made on what latitude to be at for best wind -- my weather routers will advise. - Michael Reppy
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Day 3: Tuesday, May 1, 2001 1600 hrs. — Pos.: 31-44 lat., 129-13 long.; Course: 226 mag.; Speed: 10-14 knots. Day 2 run - 235 miles. Broad reaching with genoa & 3rd reef main in 25-35 knot winds. Seas building up to 8-10 feet. Taking some beam seas that knock TC around but auto pilot holding course just fine. Just had a speed of 17 knots as I write this! - Michael Reppy
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Day 2: Monday, April 30, 2001 1200 hrs. — Pos.: 34-54 lat., 125-32 long.; Course: 200; Speed: 9-10 knots; Wind: WNW 16-18 k. Day 1 run - 245 miles. Smooth sailing so far, but expect strong N. wind & seas building next 24 hrs. 2 ships seen last night, 1 picked up by beeping of my radar detector got me up. Diesel fuel leeking into the bilge again like last year's sail-smell nasty & feel seasick. But now better and eat oatmeal OK, not like the pear yesterday that went right over the side! - Michael Reppy
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Day 1: Sunday, April 29, 2001 Thursday's Child Departs from San Francisco Bay! DEPARTURE! 1800 hrs. — Pos.: 37-08 lat., 123-11 long. (60 miles from San Francisco) Started at noon -- was delayed 30 min. to climb mast and remove rope foot strap left hanging at the top. Done with grateful help from sailor Barry Bristol who jumped on board to winch me up the mast. Also much thanks to Steve Shidler for helping get the boat ready to sail. All's well. - Michael Reppy
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Pre-trip timeline Thursday's Child Prepares for Departure Apr. 27, 2001 -- Start scheduled for Sunday (4/29) about noon under the Golden Gate Bridge. - Michael Apr. 26, 2001 -- Start is now very likely for Sunday, April 29. The weather pattern shows High pressure setting up further north with improved tradewinds. Check here for latest news. - Michael Apr. 23, 2001 -- A start this week does not look likely due to the weather pattern over the Pacific with light tradewinds or headwinds. Preparations have included addressing battery charging problems with installation of a new alternator on engine and repairs of the newly installed wind generator. We were fortunate to have discovered these problems before sailing. Stay tuned. - Michael Apr. 9, 2001 -- Michael Reppy reports preparations are going well for his third attempt to break the singlehanded sailing record from San Francisco to Tokyo of 34 days 6 hours. Final checks of all systems and outfitting of THURSDAY'S CHILD is underway at KKMI boatyard in Richmond, Calif. Michael plans one more bay sail this weekend and will load on the food and stand by ready for the GO signal from his weather router to sail out under the Golden Gate Bridge, the official start line. Keep checking here for status reports of the start and for daily email reports from Michael at sea. |
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E-mail: mreppy@tchild.org
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